National Weather Service issues winter storm warning for Washtenaw County; wintery mix expected after 1 p.m.
The National Weather Service has elevated today's storm watch to a warning, and the Ann Arbor area will likely see snow and freezing rain move in after 1 p.m., officials say.
During the afternoon, 1 to 3 inches of snow are likely to fall before the precipitation turns over to freezing rain in the evening, the weather service says. Up to a quarter inch of ice is possible by Monday morning.
Get ready for a wintery mix.
File photo
The warning is in effect from 4 p.m. today until 7 a.m. Monday.
The most intense period of the storm is likely between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., according to the weather service.
Meteorologist Rachel Kulik of the weather service's White Lake Township office said the storm will be widespread across southeast Michigan. She said it's likely the snow will start falling more heavily in the Ann Arbor area after 2 p.m. and the metro Detroit area by 3-4 p.m.
"This is more of a mix than we've seen in past storms," she said. "It will start with snow, change over to ice and then possible change back over to snow."
The weight of the ice may be heavy enough to break tree branches and down power lines, meaning outages are possible, officials said. Icy roads are sidewalks are expected to make travel by vehicle and on foot hazardous.
That means Monday morning's commute could be a slow and dangerous one.
And because of the combination of snow and ice, it may be harder for road crews to clear, Kulik said.
"It could make it worse for clearing because you have snow and ice on top, and maybe even more snow," she said.
But the winter storm won't mean many school closing since most districts are on mid-winter break or are out Monday for President's Day. Students were already off Monday in Ann Arbor, Saline, Willow Run, Lincoln, Saline, Milan, Dexter and Chelsea. Ypsilanti is scheduled to be in session Monday.
Comments
John B.
Mon, Feb 21, 2011 : 12:28 a.m.
4-6 inches at our place at this point - almost all snow, with maybe some sleet-y stuff mixed in. (West side, near I-94 and Zeeb Road). So much for another minor storm system. Gotta love Michigan's weather. Yesterday, I was cleaing up bits of trash and other detritus in our (snow-free) yard
Tom Joad
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 11:50 p.m.
"Pontiac G6 in a Ditch" As heard on the police scanner. This snow is shaping up as perfect storm...for towing companies.
Tom Joad
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 11:24 p.m.
I see a lot of drivers out on a fool's errand this evening...when it changes to freezing rain...look out!
Edward Vielmetti
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 10:47 p.m.
Washtenaw Community College notice about tomorrow's classes: <a href="http://www.wccnet.edu/" rel='nofollow'>http://www.wccnet.edu/</a> Classes at WCC that begin at noon or later Monday, Feb. 21, are being held as scheduled. Classes that start before noon are canceled because of weather.
Ross
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 10:42 p.m.
Whoa! This storm is ramping up people, take notice. Initial snowfall estimates of just 1-3 inches before change-over to sleet and ice are now replaced with a total storm accumulation through late Monday of well over 6 inches. I'd like to personally thank mother nature for holding off on the sleet and ice (at least for now), after we got screwed on the so called "snowpocalypse" storm earlier this month. So far almost all precip at my house (SW A2) has been snow - just a few tinkles of sleet mixed in. I am seeing almost 4" already with a lot more to come over the next 36 hours.
Edward Vielmetti
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 10:24 p.m.
I've seen it spelled both ways (wintry and wintery). "Forecast calls for wintry mix. That's vodka and crème de menthe in a frozen glass."
John B.
Mon, Feb 21, 2011 : 12:32 a.m.
Merci beaucoup....
Edward Vielmetti
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 10:25 p.m.
that's from <a href="http://twitter.com/#" rel='nofollow'>http://twitter.com/#</a>!/jamieklatell/status/32286534858182656
John B.
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 10:10 p.m.
Ed, Is it a wintery mix or a wintry mix? Anyone?
DBH
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 10:51 p.m.
That little Google macro is pretty cool and humorous, Ypsicat. Thanks! I am sure I will be able to use that myself for/on family and friends in the future.
ypsicat
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 10:13 p.m.
<a href="http://lmgtfy.com/?q=wintry" rel='nofollow'>http://lmgtfy.com/?q=wintry</a>
John B.
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 9:09 p.m.
OK, today's topic: Is it a 'wintery' mix, or a 'wintry' mix? Talk amongst yourselves....
Tom Teague
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 11:38 p.m.
Sigh. Earlier this week, I was hoping that " . . . the hounds of spring are on winter's traces" - AC Swinburne, "When the Hounds of Spring"
Edward Vielmetti
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 9:19 p.m.
"Chill airs and wintery winds" - HW Longfellow, "Woods in Winter" The earliest reference I can find for "wintry mix" is a 1989 National Climatic Data Center publication.
Matt Whale
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 9:02 p.m.
Got it. Thanks.
Edward Vielmetti
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 8:13 p.m.
Listening to scanner - lots of accidents all over the county.
Edward Vielmetti
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 8:52 p.m.
<a href="http://www.radioreference.com/apps/audio/?feedId=3913" rel='nofollow'>http://www.radioreference.com/apps/audio/?feedId=3913</a> Washtenaw County Sheriff, Police and Fire MPSCS feed for Washtenaw County Sheriff/EM, Washtenaw Cty Fire and Police for: Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Northfield Twp, Milan, Pittsfield Twp, Saline PD, Scio Twp, and Ypsilanti.
Matt Whale
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 8:22 p.m.
What scanner are you listening to Ed?
Matt Whale
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 6:57 p.m.
It started snowing pretty hard here. Better turn on my Amish fireplace.
Ricki
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 6:36 p.m.
If you've got a generator,fire it up now to be sure its working properly.Everyone else you know the drill.